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REEDSVILLE – When the suggestion was made by Diane Geiger, hot lunch director at Reedsville Elementary and Middle School, to bring in homegrown vegetables for the students’ lunches, the suggestion took off.

That was five years ago. Now with the support of Principal Michael Nate, fifth-grade teacher Debbie Nate, and students, a school garden brings local nutrition to school lunches.

Donations of tools, plants and money came in from the “community known for its big heart.” The produce from the garden, located on school grounds, is used in the hot lunch program and the extras are given to the elderly housing members of Reedsville Manor.

The garden doubled in size during its five years. Fifth-graders are responsible for the planting and harvesting crops each year.

“It often turns into the only experience students have in gardening,” Debbie Nate said. “Many students do not have this opportunity any more.”

This year’s planting included tomatoes, a variety of pepper plants, red potatoes, watermelon, muskmelon, and pumpkins. New soil that contained natural composted materials was added to enrich the soil.

Students measure the rows and aisles, learn about annuals and perennials, and how to care for plants. The plants are cared for during the summer by Geiger and Debbie Nate but come fall, students will harvest the produce.